The Burgeoning Bookshelf
428 FOLLOWERS
I started reading children's Middle Grade and Young Adult as my children brought English texts home from school. My reading preferences now include Romance, Rural Romance, Suspense, Mystery, Crime, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Contemporary Women's, Young Adult, fictional war stories and Middle Grade.
The Burgeoning Bookshelf
1w ago
Sunrise Over Mercy Court by Fiona McCallum
Just when they thought they were done....
Publisher: Harlequin Australia
Publication date: 5th April 2023
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Pages: 496
RRP: $32.99AU now in B format $22.99AU
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
Review: Sunrise Over Mercy Court
I have read a few of Fiona McCallum's novels and I have really enjoyed them. However, Sunrise Over Mercy Court was a miss for me.
Elsie and Howard have been together for almost 60 years and at 78 they are tired of the aches and pains, bored with life and low on finances. They p ..read more
The Burgeoning Bookshelf
2w ago
The Wartime Vet by Ellie Curzon
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication date: 4th April 2024
Series: A Village at War #3
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 331
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
Review: The Wartime Vet
The Wartime Vet is a cozy mystery/historical fiction set in 1942 country England during WWII.
Laura moves from her job as a small animal vet to the country town of Bramble Heath where she is employed to care for the local farm animals; the sheep and cows that will provide food for the nation.
I loved that Laura was strong and determined, the 1940's were ..read more
The Burgeoning Bookshelf
2w ago
Last Chance in Paris by Lynda Marron
Publisher: Echo Publishing
Publication date: 3rd April 2024
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Pages: 280
RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback)
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
Review: Last Chance in Paris
Last Chance in Paris is a poignant and heartfelt story of past regrets and new beginnings.
Told through multiple points of view, Marron’s lyrical prose and unique writing style build empathy for her large cast of characters. The reader is introduced to people who are broken and looking to time in Paris, the city of love, to find purpose again an ..read more
The Burgeoning Bookshelf
3w ago
Shock Waves by Fleur McDonald
When a bomb blast rips apart a quiet country town Detective Dave Burrows kicks into action.
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Publication date: 3rd April 2024
Series: Detective Dave Burrows
Genre: Crime / Thriller / Suspense
Pages: 352
RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback)
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
Review: Shock Waves
Shock Waves opens with gripping suspense right from the first page when I bomb is set off in a quiet country town. I was pulled straight into the mystery and I loved that Fleur McDonald didn't divulge too many clues making it nigh on imp ..read more
The Burgeoning Bookshelf
3w ago
Those Girls by Pamela Rushby
Publisher: Walker Books
Publication date: 3rd April 2024
Genre: Young Adult / Historical Fiction
Pages: 336
RRP: $19.99AU (paperback)
Source: Courtesy of publisher
Review: Those Girls
In Those Girls, Pamela Rushby writes about a little known area of women's involvement in the second world war.
As men leave the country to join the fighting a void is left in the area of food production. This is where the Australian Women's Land Army (AWLA) was formed and many young women left their homes to make their contribution to the war effort, working on farms picking ..read more
The Burgeoning Bookshelf
3w ago
Body of Lies by Sarah Bailey
A MISSING CORPSE. A SHOCKING CRIME.
FAMILY SECRETS TOO CLOSE TO HOME.
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Publication date: 27th February 2024
Series: Gemma Woodstock #4
Genre: Crime / Mystery / Thriller
Pages: 480
RRP: $34.99AU (trade paperback)
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
Review: Body of Lies
Body of Lies opens about 18 months after Where the Dead Go and Gemma is on maternity leave. She is currently living back in her hometown of Smithson with partner Mac, son Ben and baby Scarlett.
When a woman dies in a car accident and her bod ..read more
The Burgeoning Bookshelf
1M ago
Where the Dead Go by Sarah Bailey
A MISSING GIRL. HER MURDERED BOYFRIEND. A COP ON THE EDGE.
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Publication date: 4th August 2019
Series: Gemma Woodstock #3
Genre: Crime / Mystery
Pages: 464
RRP: $22.99AU (B format paperback)
Source: Uncorrected proof from publisher
Review: Where the Dead Go
As Into the Night wasn't a big hit with me I was eager to read the next Detective Sergeant Gemma Woodstock novel. Can Sarah Bailey recreate the atmosphere and suspense from The Dark Lake? Well that was a resounding Yes! I could not put this book down! I read ..read more
The Burgeoning Bookshelf
1M ago
Into the Night by Sarah Bailey
A BRAZEN MURDER WITH HUNDREDS OF WITNESSES - A CASE WHERE NO ONE CAN BE TRUSTED
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Publication date: 23rd May 2018
Series: Gemma Woodstock #2
Genre: Crime / Mystery
Pages: 420
RRP: $22.99AU (B format paperback)
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
Review: Into the Night
Into the Night by Sarah Bailey is her second novel featuring Detective Sergeant Gemma Woodstock.
Gemma is a hot mess all the way through this novel. She is very hard to like.
"..... there's a blandness about my appearance - I'm easily forge ..read more
The Burgeoning Bookshelf
1M ago
Devil's Lair by Sarah Barrie
A lonely widow, a sinister act, a darkness rising from the past.
Publisher: Harlequin Australia
Publication date: 17th June 2019
Series: Calico Mountain #2
Genre: Crime / Thriller
Pages: 448
RRP: $29.99AU (trade paperback)
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
Review: Devil's Lair
I just found out whilst posting my review that this is book 2 in a series! I can confidently say it reads well as a standalone.
Devil's Lair opens with a ritualistic cult-like killing and I initially thought the story might be too dark for me however it soon ..read more
The Burgeoning Bookshelf
1M ago
Clamour and Mischief Edited by Narrelle M. Harris
Publisher: Clan Destine Press
Publication date: 1st December 2022
Genre: Anthology / Fantasy
Pages: 248
RRP: $36.95AU (paperback)
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
Review: Clamour and Mischief
Clamour and Mischief is an anthology of short stories with the connecting theme of birds, or more precisely corvids (birds from the crow family).
I do love anthologies as the stories are short, giving instant satisfaction, and can be picked up and put down without fear of losing the plot line.
Corvids have been used prol ..read more